IRPCS - Colregs Assessment Collision Regulations: Test Yourself - Online Quiz

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International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea
IRPCS - Colregs Assessment
Collision Regulations Exam
Test yourself – online quiz
RYA Day Skipper and Yachtmaster
ICC / BSAC Seamanship
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8th May 2010
© 2010 WWW.SKYSAILTRAINING.CO.UK Collision Regulations IRPCS
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IRPCS
SKYSAIL SKILLS CHARTS Training
http://www.btinternet.com/~keith.bater/navigation_skills_charts.htm
Extracts from Skysail Skills Charts on the essential
navigation subjects
Day Skipper VHF
Weather Chartwork
2 of 63
Skysail
Day Skipper Colregs Quiz IRPCS

Training
The full text of IRPCS is here:

http://www.btinternet.com/~keith.bater/irpcs_colregs_complete.htm
Before the detailed Yachtmaster Collision Regs questions, there is a short

section on what you need to know for the RYA Day Skipper course.
3 of 63
Skysail
Day Skipper – Colregs 1 IRPCS

Training
Basic Rules
 The rules apply anywhere on the sea or connected to it (subject to local
by-laws).
 Keep a good lookout at all times by all means available (sight, sound,
radar).
 Maintain a safe speed for the conditions:
waves, hazards, tide, traffic, visibility, depth, manoeuvrability,
background lights
 The words 'Right of Way' do not occur in the rules.
A ‘Stand on' vessel should maintain its course and speed until it is
clear that the ‘Give way' vessel is not taking avoiding action.
Then all vessels must keep clear.
 Action taken to avoid a collision shall be positive, early and safe.
 A risk of collision exists if a bearing by compass, radar or transit stays
constant.
 Navigate on the starboard side of a channel.
 When crossing a shipping lane or traffic separation scheme, keep your
heading at right angles to the traffic.
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Skysail
Day Skipper – Colregs 1 IRPCS

Training
Special rules apply in fog:

There is no ‘Give Way’ vessel, everyone must keep
clear.
If you hear any vessel ahead:
 sound your signal
 slow down but keep steerage way on
 stop if necessary
 navigate with extreme caution till danger is past.
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Skysail
Day Skipper - Colregs 2 IRPCS

Training
 General Rules for Priority:  Sailing Rules

1. Not Under Command 1. Starboard tack boat
2. Restricted Ability to Manoeuvre 2. Port tack boat
3. Constrained by Draught Sailing boats on the same tack:
4. Fishing Windward boat keeps clear.
5. Sail  Motoring Rules
6. Motor (including motor sailing) Tugs Boats meeting head on - both turn
are treated as motor vessels, unless
to starboard.
they are also RAM or CBD
If two power vessels are crossing,
Exceptions to General Rules: the boat which has the other on
Narrow channels
her own starboard side shall keep
Traffic Separation Schemes. out of the way.
 Overtaking boats keep clear - sail and
power.
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Skysail
Day Skipper Colregs Quiz 3 IRPCS

Training
What is the meaning What are the rules

of this day shape? concerning lookout?
Vessel at anchor Keep a good lookout at

all times by all possible
means
What is the meaning Do the words ‘Right of

of this flag ? Way’ appear in the
Rules?
Diver down No
Keep well clear at slow speed
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Skysail
Day Skipper Collision Regulations IRPCS

Training
Two motor boats meet head

What is the meaning on, what action is required?
of this sign?
Sailing vessel
Head on:
Motor sailing Turn to Starboard
Keep to Starboard side of
channel
What is the meaning Two motor boats

of this sign? converge A
Converging:
Boat on right stands on
Vessel fishing B goes behind, slows
down or stops
B
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Skysail
Day Skipper Colregs 4 IRPCS
What action should each vessel take? Training
Two sailing boats Two sailing boats

on same tack on opposite tack
Wind
Wind
Windward Port tack boat A
boat B gives way
B gives way
A B
A
One boat
overtakes
another
Overtaking Boat keeps clear
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Skysail
Day Skipper Colregs 5 IRPCS
give type of vessel, size and aspect Training
What vessel carries What vessel carries

these lights? this light?
Over 50m long
Motor vessel • Vessel at anchor
From ahead • Stern light - any vessel
• Small craft
What vessel carries
this light? What vessel carries this light?
Sailing Motor vessel

Port side Under 50m long
Starboard side
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Skysail
Yachtmaster Assessments IRPCS

Training
The RYA assessment requires that you achieve 80% in

the Collision Regulations assessment.
You need to know all that follows in this test
11 of 63
Skysail
Application - IRPCS Rule 1 IRPCS

Training
Do the Collision Regulations apply on Lake Geneva?
No. This is not the high seas, or navigable

water connected with the high seas
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Skysail
Responsibility – IRPCS Rule 2 IRPCS

Training
Do the words ‘right of way’ appear in the collision regulations?
No.
It is everyone’s responsibility to avoid a
collision, there is no exoneration.
There are ‘give way’ vessels and ‘stand on’
vessels.
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Skysail
General Definitions - Rule 3 IRPCS

Training
Does a sailing yacht which is motor-sailing

count as a sailing vessel or a power-driven
vessel?
A power-driven vessel, it is being propelled by machinery
What is the definition of “under way”?

Underway: not anchored, or made fast to the shore, or
aground.
Vessels ‘making way’ are moving through the water by
power, sail or oars, but this is not defined in the IRPCS.
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Skysail
Look-out - IRPCS Rule 5 IRPCS

Training
What do the colregs say about the

maintenance of a look-out?
At all times, by all available means,
including sight, sound, and radar if available.
May this rule be relaxed by single
handed sailors?
No
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Skysail
Safe Speed – IRPCS Rule 6 IRPCS

Training
What is a safe speed?

At a safe speed a vessel can take proper and
effective action to avoid collision, and be stopped
within a distance appropriate to the prevailing
circumstances and conditions.
Consider:
1. Stopping and turning ability of your vessel
2. Visibility
3. Draught of your vessel and Depth of water
4. Weather
5. Sea State
6. Traffic
7. Hazards
8. Background lights at night
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Skysail
Risk of Collision - Rule 7 IRPCS

Training
How do you determine that a risk of

collision exists?
Take bearings of an approaching vessel.
If the bearings stay constant and the distance is

closing there is a risk of collision.
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Skysail
Action to avoid Collision - Rule 8 IRPCS

Training
What are the rules about action to

avoid a collision?
Action should be early, in ample time.
Your action should obvious to another vessel.
At night, show another aspect of your lights.
Your action should be safe
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Skysail
Narrow Channels - Rule 9 IRPCS

Training
What are the rules for any sailing

vessel, and vessels less than 20m in
length, in narrow channels?
They must not impede the passage of a

vessel which can navigate safely only in the
channel.
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Skysail
Traffic Separation Schemes – IRPCS
Colregs Rule 10 Training
When you cross a Traffic Separation

Scheme, do you make Heading or Ground
Track at right angles to the lane?
Your heading should be as Ground Tide

nearly as practicable at right track
angles to the traffic flow.
This is the quickest route and shows
the maximum aspect of your boat to
vessels using the lane.
Also you have the best view of traffic.
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Skysail
Sailing Vessels – IRPCS Rule 12 IRPCS

Training
When two sailing vessels on opposite tacks meet, which gives way to
the other:
The vessel with the wind on the port side

(on port tack)
Wind
Port tack boat A gives way
A B
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Skysail
Sailing Vessels – IRPCS Rule 12 IRPCS

Training
When two sailing vessels on the same tack meet which gives way to the
other:
The vessel to windward of the other

Windward boat B
Wind
gives way
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Skysail
Sailing Vessels – Colregs Rule 12 IRPCS

Training
A sailing vessel on port tack sees

another sailing vessel ahead to
windward but is not certain whether
the other vessel is on port or
starboard tack.
Does she: stand on or give way?

She gives way
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Skysail
Overtaking – Colregs Rule 13 IRPCS

Training
When is a vessel overtaking?
When it is approaching from an angle

22.5º
more than 22.5º abaft the beam of
another vessel
(ie in the arc of the stern light).
A planing sailing dinghy is overtaking a motor cruiser.
Which keeps clear?
Any overtaking vessel must keep clear

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Skysail
Overtaking - IRPCS Rule 13 IRPCS

Training
What should you do if you are not sure you are

overtaking?
Assume you are overtaking and act accordingly.
What happens if you change your course or speed

to come out of the overtaking sector?
Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two

vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel
within the meaning of these Rules, or relieve her of the duty
of keeping clear of the overtaken vessel until she is finally
past and clear.
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Skysail
Head-on Situation - Colregs Rule 14 IRPCS

Training
When two power-driven vessels meet

head on, what action should they
take?
Both vessels alter course to starboard and make

a sound signal (1 short blast)
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Skysail
Crossing situation – IRPCS Rule 15 IRPCS

Training
Two power-driven vessels

are crossing.
Who keeps clear, and what
action should she take?
The vessel with the other on her starboard side.

(At night, she could see a red light on the other vessel).
 She must slow down, or alter course to starboard to
clear the other vessel’s stern, and make a sound signal

(1 short blast). 27 of 63
Skysail
Action by give-way vessel - Rule 16 IRPCS

Training
What kind of action should be taken by the vessel required to keep clear?
It should be
and
early, in ample time
substantial
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Skysail
Action by stand on vessel - Rule 17 IRPCS

Training
What is the ‘stand-on’ vessel required to do?
Maintain her course and speed

What should the ‘stand on’ vessel do if a collision appears imminent
Take action to avoid the collision
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Skysail
Responsibilities between IRPCS

Training
vessels - Collision Regulations Rule 18
List the following in order of priority
Vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvre
Power driven vessel
Fishing vessel
Sailing vessel
Vessel Not Under Command
Vessel Constrained by Draught
1 Vessel Not Under Command
2 Vessel Restricted in Ability to Manœuvre
3 Vessel Constrained by Draught
4 Fishing vessel
5 Sailing vessel
6 Power vessel 30 of 63
Skysail
Conduct of vessels in IRPCS

Training
restricted visibility – Colregs Rule 19
In restricted visibility what must all
vessels ensure regarding their speed
and means of propulsion?
 A safe speed suitable for the prevailing

circumstances.
 Engines are ready for immediate

manoeuvre.
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Skysail
Conduct of vessels in IRPCS

Training
restricted visibility - Rule 19
In restricted visibility, you hear the fog
signal of vessel ahead of you. What
must you do?
1 Sound your fog signal.
2 Reduce speed to the minimum while
maintaining steerage way.
3 Stop if necessary.
4 Navigate with extreme caution until
danger of collision is over.
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Skysail
Collision Regulations – Under Way IRPCS

Training
Which vessels can you distinguish as

either ‘under way’ or ‘making way’ at
night?
1. Not Under Command
2. Restricted Ability to Manœuvre
3. Fishing
All other vessels can only be identified as

‘under way’ at night.
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Skysail
Collision Regulations: IRPCS
Under way/ Making Way Training
How do vessels at night indicate they

are making way?
 Not Under Command:
shows side and stern lights
NB no steaming light at masthead.
 Restricted Ability to Manœuvre, and Fishing:

show side lights, stern lights and masthead
(steaming) lights.
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Skysail
Collision Regulations IRPCS

Training
Which vessels can only be distinguished

as ‘under way’ at night?
1. Sail
2. Power
3. Constrained By Draught
4. Pilot
Define Tugs as ‘Towing’.
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Skysail
Definitions – IRPCS Rule 21 IRPCS

Training
Match the lights listed to their arcs of

visibility:
Masthead light, Sidelight, Stern light, All
round light
360º All-round light
112.5º on each side of bow Masthead light
112.5º on one side of bow only Side light
67.5º on each side of stern Stern light
(overtaking sector is
22.5 º aft of the beam)
36 of 63
Skysail
Collision Regulations Rule 24 IRPCS

Training
What lights are shown by a tug with:

length of tow 200m or less
 One additional masthead light.
 Yellow towing light at the stern
length of tow greater than 200m?

 Two additional masthead lights
 Yellow towing light at the stern
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Skysail

Training
What lights are shown by a vessel

being towed?
 Sidelights and a Sternlight
(Same as a sailing vessel, ie no power)
38 of 63
Skysail
Fishing Vessels – Colregs Rule 26 IRPCS

Training
At night, what lights are shown by a vessel engaged in trawling ?
What is its day shape?

All-round green over all-round white
Two cones, apex together
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Skysail
IRPCS Rule 26 IRPCS

Training
At night, what lights are shown by a vessel engaged in fishing, not trawling,?
If its gear extends more than 150m to the side, what additional light and shape must it show?
All-round red over all round white
All-round white light in the direction of the gear
40 of 63
Skysail
IRPCS Rule 27 IRPCS

Training
What lights are shown by a vessel not

under command?
Two all-round red lights
What day shape must it show?

Two balls in a vertical line
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Skysail
Vessels not under command or
IRPCS
restricted in ability to Training
manoeuvre – Colregs Rule 27

What lights are shown by a vessel when it is
restricted in its ability to manœuvre?
All-round red, white, red in a vertical line
What day shapes must it show?

Ball, diamond, ball in a vertical line
1 metre
apart
42 of 63
Skysail
IRPCS Rule 27 IRPCS

Training
When a vessel is carrying out

dredging, how does it indicate the safe
side to pass?
Safe: two 360 º green lights vertical

Two vertical diamonds
The unsafe side?

Unsafe: two 360º red lights vertical
Two vertical balls 43 of 63
Skysail
IRPCS
IRPCS Rule 27 Training
What lights are shown by a vessel engaged in mine clearance?
What shapes by day?

Three all-round green lights, one
at the masthead and one at the end
of each yard
Three balls
44 of 63
Skysail
IRPCS
IRPCS Rule 28 Training
What lights are shown by a vessel

constrained by her draught?
Three all-round red lights
What day shape?
A cylinder 1m x 2m
45 of 63
Skysail

Training
What lights are shown by a vessel on pilot duty?
All-round
What white
will the pilot over
vessel all-round red
show by day?
What sound signals are made by a pilot vessel on duty

Flag ‘H’
Four short blasts (Morse ‘H’)

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Skysail

Training
What lights are shown by vessels less than 50m in length at anchor?
What shape by day?
All-round white light forward

What additional light is shown at anchor by a
vessel > 50m long?
A ball forward
An all-round white light low down near the stern

> 50 m port aspect
47 of 63
Skysail

Training
What lights are shown by vessels

aground?
Anchor lights plus two vertical all-round red lights
Port side > 50m)
What day shape?

Three balls in a vertical line
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Skysail
Manœuvring and Warning IRPCS

Training
Signals - Rule 34
When a vessel makes the following sound
signals in good visibility what do they mean?
One short blast
I am altering course to starboard
Two short blasts
I am altering course to port
Three short blasts
I am operating astern propulsion
Five or more short rapid blasts
What are your intentions
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Skysail
IRPCS
Manœuvring and Warning Training
Signals - Rule 34
What do the following signals mean when made
between vessels in a narrow channel?
One long blast
Vessels approaching blind bend (here I come sounding one)

Two long followed by one short blast
I intend to overtake on your starboard side

Two long followed by two short blasts
I intend
One long, one to overtake
short, on your
one long portshort
& one side
‘Affirmative’ (by vessel being overtaken)

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Skysail

Training
Signals – Colregs Rule 35
What sounds should the following
vessels make in restricted visibility?
A vessel not under command
A vessel restricted in ability to manoeuvre
A vessel constrained by draught
A fishing vessel
A sailing vessel
A tug
One long followed by two short blasts every 2 mins
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Skysail

Training
Signals - Rule 35
What sounds should the following vessels
make in restricted visibility?
Power vessel making way
One long blast every 2 minutes
Power driven vessel stopped, not making way
Two long blasts every 2 minutes
A vessel constrained by draught
One long followed by two short every 2 mins
A sailing vessel
One long followed by two short every 2 mins
A Pilot boat on duty
Four short blasts
(in addition to one long blast for a motor vessel)
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Skysail

Training
Signals – IRPCS Rule 35
In fog , you hear one long blast followed by three short. What is it?
In fog, you hear a bell rung rapidly for 5 seconds, then a gong, every minute.
What is it? A vessel under tow (last vessel in tow)
Forward Aft
A vessel >100m long at anchor

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Skysail
IRPCS
Distress Signals - Rule 37 Training
What are the International Distress signals?

In te r n a tio n a l D is t r e s s S ig n a ls
T h e s p o k e n w o rd W a v e o u ts tr e tc h e d R e d P a ra c h u te O ra n g e S m o k e
‘M A Y D A Y ’ s e n t b y a r m s s lo w ly u p a n d o r H a n d F la r e
r a d io t e le p h o n y down
M o rs e S O S b y G u n o r n o is e a t C o n t in u o u s s o u n d F la m e s o r S m o k e
r a d io o r a n y o th e r 1 m in u te in t e r v a ls w it h f o g s ig n a l
s ig n a llin g m e th o d
R o c k e t s o r s h e lls C o d e F la g s A S q u a re E P IR B
th r o w in g ‘N ’ a n d ‘C ’ S hape above E m e rg e n c y
r e d s ta r s o r b e lo w a P o s it io n
I n d ic a t in g
a t s h o rt B a ll S h a p e R a d io
in t e r v a ls B eacon
SART R a d io t e le g r a p h R a d io t e le p h o n e D y e M a rk e r
S e a rc h & R e s c u e R a d a r A la r m s ig n a l / D S C A la r m S ig n a l / D S C
T ra n s p o n d e r
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Skysail
More IRPCS Test Questions IRPCS

Training
In the questions that follow, give all possible

information:
Type of vessel (NUC, RAM, CBD etc)

Power or sail
Under way or making way
Length
Aspect (starboard, port, stern, bow)
Length of tug and Length of tow
It can help to draw up a table like this, and complete all possible items
Vessel type Power / sail Length Aspect Underway Tug Tow

Making way
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Skysail

Training
You see a single white light.

What is it? (3 answers)
1. The stern light of another boat
2. An anchor light
3. A light shown by a vessel < 7m and < 7 knots

eg a small motor boat or dinghy with a torch
56 of 63
Skysail

Training
When does a sailing vessel on

starboard tack give way to another
vessel?
1. When it is overtaking boat
2. When it is to windward of another boat on starboard tack
3. When it meets another vessel which is NUC, RAM, CBD,
Fishing.
4. When it meets a motor vessel which can only navigate
within a narrow channel, or in a Traffic Separation
Scheme.
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Skysail
More Colregs Test Questions IRPCS

Training
What vessel shows the following lights?
> 50m long

Constrained
by Draught
Under way Motor vessel
Bow aspect
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Skysail

Training
Vessel
Not under command
Starboard aspect
Making way
Length not known
59 of 63
Skysail

Training
Vessel Trawling
Stern aspect
Making way
Length not known
60 of 63
Skysail

Training
Sailing Vessel
Under way
Starboard aspect
Length < 20m
61 of 63
Skysail

Training
Vessel at anchor
Starboard aspect
Length > 50m
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Skysail
More Collision Regs questions IRPCS

Training
What vessel carries these lights?

 Vessel towing. Length over 50m.
Port side.
Tow less than 200 metres long
What vessel carries these lights?

 Vessel towing, length under 50m.
Starboard side
 Tow over 200 metres long
63 of 63
Skysail

Training
What is meant by the following sound signals??

Motor vessel – stopped in restricted
visibility
Additional warning – vessel anchored in
restricted visibility
My engines are in astern propulsion
Pilot vessel – making way in fog
I intend to overtake to starboard
I intend to overtake to port
Affirmative
64 of 63
Skysail
IRPCS
Training
Colregs, IRPCS
International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea
www.skysailtraining.co.uk
65 of 63

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Skysail

for more tests on Weather and CEVNI, and to

Day Skipper VHF

Day Skipper Colregs Quiz IRPCS

The full text of IRPCS is here:

Before the detailed Yachtmaster Collision Regs questions, there is a short

Day Skipper – Colregs 1 IRPCS

Day Skipper – Colregs 1 IRPCS

Special rules apply in fog:

Day Skipper - Colregs 2 IRPCS

 General Rules for Priority:  Sailing Rules

Day Skipper Colregs Quiz 3 IRPCS

What is the meaning What are the rules

Vessel at anchor Keep a good lookout at

What is the meaning Do the words ‘Right of

Day Skipper Collision Regulations IRPCS

Two motor boats meet head

What is the meaning Two motor boats

What action should each vessel take? Training

Two sailing boats Two sailing boats

Overtaking Boat keeps clear

give type of vessel, size and aspect Training

What vessel carries What vessel carries

Sailing Motor vessel

Yachtmaster Assessments IRPCS

The RYA assessment requires that you achieve 80% in

You need to know all that follows in this test

Application - IRPCS Rule 1 IRPCS

Do the Collision Regulations apply on Lake Geneva?

No. This is not the high seas, or navigable

Responsibility – IRPCS Rule 2 IRPCS

Do the words ‘right of way’ appear in the collision regulations?

General Definitions - Rule 3 IRPCS

Does a sailing yacht which is motor-sailing

What is the definition of “under way”?

Look-out - IRPCS Rule 5 IRPCS

What do the colregs say about the

Safe Speed – IRPCS Rule 6 IRPCS

What is a safe speed?

Risk of Collision - Rule 7 IRPCS

How do you determine that a risk of

Take bearings of an approaching vessel.

If the bearings stay constant and the distance is

Action to avoid Collision - Rule 8 IRPCS

What are the rules about action to

Your action should obvious to another vessel.

At night, show another aspect of your lights.

Your action should be safe

Narrow Channels - Rule 9 IRPCS

What are the rules for any sailing

They must not impede the passage of a

When you cross a Traffic Separation

Your heading should be as Ground Tide

Sailing Vessels – IRPCS Rule 12 IRPCS

The vessel with the wind on the port side

Port tack boat A gives way

Sailing Vessels – IRPCS Rule 12 IRPCS

The vessel to windward of the other

Sailing Vessels – Colregs Rule 12 IRPCS

A sailing vessel on port tack sees

Does she: stand on or give way?

Overtaking – Colregs Rule 13 IRPCS